compensatory damages
noun
: money awarded to a victim to make up for an injury, damage, etc.
The patient sued for compensatory damages.
Examples of compensatory damages in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In 2022, a Connecticut jury awarded the families $965 million in compensatory damages and a judge slapped on $473 million in punitive damages.
—
Ted Johnson, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025
The verdict could be reduced on appeal as the US Supreme Court has found that punitive damages should generally be no more than nine times compensatory damages.
—Reuters 14 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
Todd is seeking $10 million in compensatory damages.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Oct. 2025
Also on Monday, Tole filed a lawsuit against Sanchez and his employer, Fox Sports, for punitive and compensatory damages, CNN reported.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compensatory damages
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Ted Johnson, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025
The verdict could be reduced on appeal as the US Supreme Court has found that punitive damages should generally be no more than nine times compensatory damages.
—Reuters 14 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2025
Todd is seeking $10 million in compensatory damages.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 8 Oct. 2025
Also on Monday, Tole filed a lawsuit against Sanchez and his employer, Fox Sports, for punitive and compensatory damages, CNN reported.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for compensatory damages
Cite this Entry
“Compensatory damages.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compensatory%20damages. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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